Proto Labs (NYSE: PRLB) reported Q4 EPS of $0.74, $0.06 worse than the analyst estimate of $0.80. Revenue for the quarter came in at $112.8 million versus the consensus estimate of $115.38 million.

• Revenue for the fourth quarter of 2018 was $112.8 million, representing a 19.7 percent increase over revenue of $94.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2017.
• The number of unique product developers and engineers served totaled 20,403 in the fourth quarter of 2018, an increase of 18.2 percent over the fourth quarter of 2017.
• Net income for the fourth quarter of 2018 was $19.3 million, or $0.71 per diluted share.
• Non-GAAP net income was $20.3 million, or $0.74 per diluted share. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below.

“Protolabs had another quarter of strong revenue growth, however, fourth quarter financial results were below our expectations,” said Vicki Holt, President and Chief Executive Officer. “We experienced a strong start to the quarter in terms of revenue, followed by a weak December. In addition, our recent acquisition of Rapid Manufacturing is performing below our expectations. These factors, combined with the relocation of our CNC facility in the United States impacted our productivity during the quarter, negatively affecting our operating earnings.”

Additional Fourth Quarter 2018 Highlights include:

• Gross margin was 52.5 percent of revenue for the fourth quarter of 2018, compared to 56.2 percent for the fourth quarter of 2017.
• Operating expenses were 34.6 percent of revenue for the fourth quarter of 2018, compared to 36.2 percent for the fourth quarter of 2017.
• GAAP operating margin was 17.9 percent of revenue during the fourth quarter of 2018, compared to 19.9 percent for the fourth quarter of 2017.
• Non-GAAP operating margin was 21.2 percent of revenue during the fourth quarter of 2018, compared to 25.1 percent for the fourth quarter of 2017. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below.
• The company generated $38.0 million in cash from operations during the fourth quarter of 2018.
• Cash and investments balance was $155.4 million at December 31, 2018.
• The company repurchased $12.2 million or 104,600 shares of common stock.

“As a company, we are focused on serving our customers and driving growth and profitability over the long term,” said Holt. “Protolabs achieved several major milestones during the fourth quarter that will facilitate future growth. We successfully completed the relocation of our CNC operations in Minnesota while fulfilling commitments to customers, increased the number of product developers served in 2018 to nearly 46,000, and became a founding member of MIT’s ADAPT consortium.”

Full Year 2018 Financial Highlights include:

• Revenue increased 29.3 percent to $445.6 million compared to $344.5 million in 2017. This growth includes the acquisition of Rapid Manufacturing in December 2017.
• Net income for 2018 increased 47.9 percent to $76.6 million, or $2.81 per diluted share compared to $51.8 million, or $1.93 per diluted share in 2017.
• Non-GAAP net income was $82.8 million, or $3.04 per diluted share. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below.
• Cash generated from operations during the year totaled $122.9 million.
• Additional 2018 Highlights include:
• Served nearly 46,000 product developers during the year, an increase of 22.5 percent over 2017.
• Formed a partnership with Misumi, a Japanese parts distributer, to increase our brand recognition and demand in Japan.
• Moved the company’s CNC operations, including nearly 300 machines over a six-week period, to a new 215,000 square foot state-of-the-art CNC machining digital manufacturing facility in Minnesota.
• New Hampshire operations received national recognition, winning The FABRICATOR’s 2019 Industry Award, an award that recognizes Protolabs’ quick-turn production capabilities, lean manufacturing efforts, and overall evolution over the past year.
• Became a founding member of MIT’s ADAPT (Additive and Digital Advanced Production Technologies) consortium along with other leading organizations in industry and academia.

“2018 was a strong year overall for our company. As we enter into our 20th year of operations, it is rewarding to look back at all we have accomplished since our inception. It is also very exciting to look ahead and see the numerous opportunities we have to help our customers win in their markets as they capitalize on underlying market trends. Our 2019 priorities are aligned to serving our customers through enhanced relationships, continuously improving the customer experience and increased efficiency in operations. After a strong 2018, these priorities continue our focus on our customers, enabling us to drive growth and deliver long term shareholder returns,” concluded Holt.

For earnings history and earnings-related data on Proto Labs (PRLB) click here.